Shaul Mofaz’s victory in the Kadima primary on Tuesday brought mixed reactions
from other parties in the Knesset on Wednesday, with some congratulating him
while taking the opportunity to slam the party.

MK Ofir Akunis (Likud)
wished the new Kadima leader a long career as leader of the opposition, but
added that the party is “at the end of its journey,” and the public has lost
faith in Kadima.

According to MK Danny Danon (Likud), Mofaz’s victory
symbolizes Kadima’s end. He pointed out that Mofaz favors a return to pre- 1967
lines, and is “continuing the left-wing path of [outgoing Kadima leader Tzipi]
Livni.”

Meretz launched an online campaign titled “it’s the same Kadima”
on Wednesday, in an attempt to bring back left-wing voters. The party says three
to four of Kadima’s Knesset seats come from former Meretz voters.

Meretz
leader Zehava Gal- On congratulated Mofaz, but said that his victory proves that
Kadima is a center-right- wing party.

“This should stop Kadima from
deluding left-wing voters that they are an alternative to Netanyahu,” she said,
calling for voters who “believe in ending the occupation” to vote
Meretz.

Labor leader Shelly Yacimovich called Mofaz worthy of his new job
and commended his contributions to Israel.

However, Yacimovich added that
Labor is the only true alternative to the current government, and that in the
past three years Kadima has not been able to compete against Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu’s government in economic, social or diplomatic
matters.

United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni said that Livni lost the
primary because she attacked haredim, and he hopes Mofaz does not make the same
mistake.

MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) attributed Mofaz’s victory
to votes from the Arab towns of Jisr e- Zarka and Dir al-Assad, adding that the
new Kadima leader will be indebted to those voters.

“It is an
embarrassment that a party that seeks to lead the country looks this way,” he
lamented.

Sites Of Interest

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